[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 217 (Tuesday, November 10, 1998)] [Notices] [Pages 63081-63082] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 98-30110] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Employment and Training Administration [TA-W-34,116, TA-W-34,116A] Tonkawa Gas Processing Woodward, Oklahoma and Delhi Gas Pipeline Corp., Dallas, Texas; Notice of Negative Determination on Reconsideration on Remand The United States Court of International Trade (USCIT) granted the Secretary of Labor's motion for a voluntary remand for further investigation in Former Employees of Tonkawa Gas Processing and Delhi Pipeline Corp. v. Secretary of Labor, No. 98-04-00889. The Department's initial denial for the workers of Tonkawa Gas Processing, Woodward, Oklahoma and Delhi Gas Pipeline Corporation, Dallas, Texas issued on March 16, 1998 and published in the Federal Register on April 3, 1998 (63 F.R. 16,574), was based on the fact that criterion (3) of the group eligibility requirements of section 222 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended, was not met. The petitioners request for reconsideration resulted in a Dismissal of Application for Reconsideration which was issued on April 7, 1998 and published in the Federal Register on April 22, 1996 (63 FR 19,756). The Department's review of the application for reconsideration found no new substantial information which would bear importantly on the Department's determination. On remand, the Department contacted company officials, both from the parent company and the subject facility, to obtain (1) information on the business of Delhi Gas Pipeline and it's relationship with Tonkawa Gas processing; (2) information on the business of Tonkawa Gas Processing and the Woodward, Oklahoma facility; and (3) additional information on production and employment at the subject facility. Tonkawa Gas Processing is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Delhi Group [[Page 63082]] which was sold to Koch Industries, Inc. in November, 1997. The Tonkawa Gas Processing facility in Woodward, Oklahoma processes liquefied natural gases, e.g. Ethane, Propane, Normal Butane, and Isobutane. The gas processed by the Woodward facility is only gas from Delhi pipelines. Production at the Woodward facility remained relatively constant during both 1996 and 1997. In December, 1997, with the acquisition of the Delhi Group by Koch Industries, an employment streamlining was implemented at the Woodward facility which resulted in a net employment loss of one position, a plant operator. It is determined, therefore, upon further investigation, that employment declines at the Woodward facility were not as a result of a decline in production at the facility but rather, were the result of attempts by the firm acquiring the subject facility to increase operating efficiencies. Further, declines in production at the facility subsequent to the acquisition and the net employment reduction were attributable to a decline in the supply of raw materials (natural gas) which were used in the production of liquefied gas products at that facility and could not, therefore, have been attributable to increased imports of like or directly competitive products. Further, a review of imports of liquefied natural gases indicates that imports declined during 1997 compared to the previous year and are less than 10% relative to domestic production. Conclusion After consideration on remand, I affirm the original notice of negative determination of eligibility to apply for adjustment assistance for workers and former workers of Tonkawa Gas Processing, Woodward, Oklahoma and Delhi Gas Pipeline Corporation, Dallas, Texas. Signed at Washington, DC, this 23rd day of October 1998. Grant D. Beale, Acting Director, Office of Trade Adjustment Assistance. [FR Doc. 98-30110 Filed 11-9-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4510-30-M